From Ronald Reagan to Facing the HecklersUpstage Host Eric Sukhu spoke with Dan Bingham about his solo show, Adopt This. being re-mounted Sept. 29-Oct 1 at Theatre Ste-Catherine. Below is an abridged version edited by Estelle Rosen CharPo Editor-in-chief.
UPSTAGE
The handsomest man in Montreal theatre is with us in studio.
BINGHAM
You can almost hear me blushing if that’s possible!
...if no one was reacting to the lines I was delivering, I felt that I was failing. I think I need the laughs.
UPSTAGE
Dan Bingham’s show Adopt This won Just For Laughs Best Comedy award at 2011 Montreal Fringe Festival, also nominated for both Centaur Best English Production and Chapter Books Best English Script. You must be psyched to be doing it again.
BINGHAM
I’m very excited. The toughest thing about Fringe is that it’s such a whirlwind. This was my first Fringe, I had a great time. I was so lost when it was over, I knew I had to do it again.
UPSTAGE
This is the first production you’ve written and performed; you studied acting didn’t you?
BINGHAM
Yes. I did the John Abbott Theatre workshop program and have also taken classes.
UPSTAGE
Did you always want to be in theatre?
BINGHAM
I love performing and being on stage. When I was acting at John Abbott, if no one was reacting to the lines I was delivering, I felt that I was failing. I think I need the laughs.
UPSTAGE
Tell us about Adopt This.
BINGHAM
Adopt This is the story of my life growing up adopted then reuniting with my biological Scottish family. That’s the big story. There are lots of little stories about what it’s like to be adopted.
I never had feelings of rejection as some adopted children do.
UPSTAGE
Growing up did you have questions about who your parents are?
BINGHAM
Anyone who’s adopted and knows they’re adopted has those questions every day. Walking on the street you scan people’s faces for anyone who might match the profile or who might be the same age as your parents.
UPSTAGE
You were told when very young you were adopted. Were you comfortable with this?
BINGHAM
Yes. I was very young. I never had feelings of rejection as some adopted children do.
UPSTAGE
But you felt the need to share this with the rest of the world!
BINGHAM
Meeting my biological parents was a life-changing experience. I have some friends who are adopted. When they met their biological parents, it didn’t turn out so well. Mine is a happy ending but that isn’t always the case. I wanted the chance to share this story.
UPSTAGE
Adopt This is being presented at Theatre Ste-Catherine. Why this venue?
BINGHAM
I had performed there as a stand up. I recently took some improv lessons there. Good vibe. Good people running it. And there’s a bar! Helps put the audience in a good mood!
In grade 3, I was doing Ronald Reagan impressions. Getting laughs from that kind of stuff feels good.
UPSTAGE
How did you get into standup comedy?
BINGHAM
I love making people laugh. Ever since high school, I preferred comedic plays. I became addicted to laughter at a young age.
My mother tells me I was good at impressions. I was always imitating sounds; dogs, sirens, and fire trucks. In grade 3, I was doing Ronald Reagan impressions. Getting laughs from that kind of stuff feels good.
UPSTAGE
Sometimes I find people who are funny on stage often aren’t when meeting them.
BINGHAM
It takes a special kind of person to do stand up. I had a turbulent childhood. A lot of people who come from those situations gravitate towards comedy. Maybe they haven’t dealt with those issues, or have been doing it for too long. Like that miserable waitress who’s been serving plates for 20 years and doesn’t want to see another customer ask for decaf; just take regular coffee and get out of my face.
Basically I just watched comedy a lot. From doing that, comedians decipher a formula and try to follow what their favorite comedians did.
UPSTAGE
Did you ever get any training in standup comedy. I know that Joey Elias teaches a class.
BINGHAM
Yes I fill in for Joey sometimes. Basically I just watched comedy a lot. From doing that, comedians decipher a formula and try to follow what their favorite comedians did. You can tell who a brand new comedian has been watching.
UPSTAGE
Should actors learn stand up comedy or should comedians learn theatre?
BINGHAM
Being diverse is the best. I love being on stage. I take acting lessons. Lots of actors find telling jokes on stage terrifying. It’s important for everyone to be well rounded.
UPSTAGE
How do you handle hecklers?
BINGHAM
Depends on the heckler. Every situation is different. I try to just go with it. I’ve been learning that from improv. In the end, I’m just trying to be funny. If I show someone made me mad, that’s awkward and hard to dig yourself out of that hole. I always try to make a joke out of it.
UPSTAGE
After Adopt This what’s next?
BINGHAM
I’d love to do the Canadian Fringe tour next year; also the Sydney Comedy Festival. I’d love to do this show wherever possible.
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